Forbes coach Cameron Greenhalgh has implored his red-hot Magpies to maintain the rage as the black and whites’ charge through the Group 11 finals continues.
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The Magpies have put together two blazing performances in back-to-back weeks, knocking off Parkes 44-6 in the final regular season round before lapping Macquarie 38-0 in the elimination semi-final, last Saturday in Forbes.
In both games, though, Forbes battled poor ball control and ill-discipline, ending the match against the Raiders on the wrong side of an 11-7 penalty count and still managing to run in eight tries to none.
However, Greenhalgh said he won’t try and reel in his side, one that plays close to the flame, or in this case the ire of the referee.
“If I could pin point two things we need to work on it’d be our ball control and discipline,” Greenhalgh said.
“We’ve had a few penalties against us but I think that’s because we play upbeat footy ... we’re keen. I won’t stop the boys being that way.”
The touch of ill-discipline has resulted in the Magpies defending a lot, but the first grade outfit’s goal-line defence has been top notch.
Jake Grace and the black and whites have been breached just the once in the last 160 minutes of footy.
“We’ve worked hard on our defence. Defence is an attitude thing and if you have that right approach it’ll work. It breeds enthusiasm,” Greenhalgh added.
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“We’re priding ourselves on our defence.”
Greenhalgh’s men are firing at the right time of the year, but Saturday’s minor semi-final opponents Parkes are almost the complete opposite.
Alex Prout’s men are ravaged with injury and haven’t won a game in three weeks.
Still, Greenhalgh said it’d be foolish of the Magpies to head into Saturday’s doe-or-die Pioneer Oval clash expecting the wounder Spacemen to simply roll over.
“We’re just staying focused ... we have one bad week and the season is over,” he said.
“It's always hard on their ground. It’ll take a whole 80 minute effort to do it, but everyone is fit and healthy and the squad is confident.
“There’s a great vibe at training, the boys are confident, laughing and working hard at the same time.
“We’ll fine tune a few things to keep teams guessing.”
Forbes’ under 18s will also take on the Group 11 semi-finals, heading to Dubbo to face Wellington in the major semi-final on Sunday.
The Cowboys accounted for Parkes in last week’s qualifying semi and head to Apex Oval with confidence, but Jason Kennedy’s juniors are the undefeated minor premiers.
Juniors kick-off at 1pm on Sunday. First grade plays Parkes on Saturday from 3.15pm.
Nick McGrath
Editor, Central Western Daily
Editor, Central Western Daily
